Paralympic sports

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Ice Sledge Hockey: United States (blue shirts) vs Japan (white shirts) during the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver. 2010ParalympicsIceSledgeHockey.jpg
Ice Sledge Hockey: United States (blue shirts) vs Japan (white shirts) during the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver.

The Paralympic sports comprise all the sports contested in the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. As of 2020, the Summer Paralympics included 22 sports and 539 medal events, [1] and the Winter Paralympics include 5 sports and disciplines and about 80 events. [2] The number and kinds of events may change from one Paralympic Games to another.

Contents

The Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event for athletes with physical disabilities or intellectual impairments. This includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy. Paralympic sports refers to organized competitive sporting activities as part of the global Paralympic movement. These sports are organized and run under the supervision of the International Paralympic Committee and other international sports federations.

History

Archery: Lindsey Carmichael from the United States, at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. LindseyCarmichaelBeijing2008BronzeMedalist.jpg
Archery: Lindsey Carmichael from the United States, at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.

Organized sport for persons with physical disabilities developed out of rehabilitation programs. Following World War II, in response to the needs of large numbers of injured ex-service members and civilians, sport was introduced as a key part of rehabilitation. Sport for rehabilitation grew into recreational sport and then into competitive sport. The pioneer of this approach was Ludwig Guttmann of the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England. In 1948, while the Olympic Games were being held in London, England, he organized a sports competition for wheelchair athletes at Stoke Mandeville. This was the origin of the Stoke Mandeville Games, which evolved into the modern Paralympic Games. [3]

Organization

The Paralympic symbol Logo of the International Paralympic Committee 2019.svg
The Paralympic symbol

Globally, the International Paralympic Committee is recognized as the leading organization, with direct governance of nine sports, and responsibility over the Paralympic Games and other multi-sport, multi-disability events. Other international organizations, notably the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS), the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability (INAS) and the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA) govern some sports that are specific to certain disability groups. [4] In addition, certain single-sport federations govern sports for athletes with a disability, either as part of an able-bodied sports federation such as the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), or as a disabled sports federation such as the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation. [5]

At the national level, there are a wide range of organizations that take responsibility for Paralympic sport, including National Paralympic Committees, [6] which are members of the IPC, and many others.[ citation needed ]

Disability categories

Cycling: Karissa Whitsell and Mackenzie Woodring (pilot) from the United States, compete in Beijing 2008 2008 Summer Paralympics, Tandem.jpg
Cycling: Karissa Whitsell and Mackenzie Woodring (pilot) from the United States, compete in Beijing 2008
Biathlon: Andy Soule from the United States, at the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver. Andy Soule, 2010 Paralympics.jpg
Biathlon: Andy Soule from the United States, at the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver.

Athletes who participate in Paralympic sport are grouped into ten major categories, based on their type of disability:

Physical Impairment - There are eight different types of physical impairment recognized by the movement:

Visual Impairment - Athletes with visual impairment ranging from partial vision, sufficient to be judged legally blind, to total blindness. This includes impairment of one or more component of the visual system (eye structure, receptors, optic nerve pathway, and visual cortex). [7] The sighted guides for athletes with a visual impairment are such a close and essential part of the competition that the athlete with visual impairment and the guide are considered a team. Beginning in 2012, these guides (along with sighted goalkeepers in 5-a-side football became eligible to receive medals of their own. [8] [9]

Intellectual Disability - Athletes with a significant impairment in intellectual functioning and associated limitations in adaptive behaviour. The IPC primarily serves athletes with physical disabilities, but the disability group Intellectual Disability has been added to some Paralympic Games. This includes only elite athletes with intellectual disabilities diagnosed before the age of 18. [7] However, the IOC-recognized Special Olympics World Games are open to all people with intellectual disabilities. [10] [11]

The disability category determines who athletes compete against and which sports they participate in. Some sports are open to multiple disability categories (e.g. cycling), while others are restricted to only one (e.g. Five-a-side football). In some sports athletes from multiple categories compete, but only within their category (e.g. athletics), while in others athletes from different categories compete against one another (e.g. swimming). Events in the Paralympics are commonly labelled with the relevant disability category, such as Men's Swimming Freestyle S1, indicating athletes with a severe physical impairment, or Ladies Table Tennis 11, indicating athletes with an intellectual disability. [12]

Classification

Swimming at the 2008 Summer Paralympics Swimming at the 2008 Summer Paralympics - women Freestyle swimming.jpg
Swimming at the 2008 Summer Paralympics

A major component of Paralympic sport is classification. [7] Classification provides a structure for competition which allows athletes to compete against others with similar disabilities or similar levels of physical function. It is similar in aim to the weight classes or age categories used in some non-disabled sports.

Athletes are classified through a variety of processes that depend on their disability group and the sport they are participating in. Evaluation may include a physical or medical examination, a technical evaluation of how the athlete performs certain sport-related physical functions, and observation in and out of competition. Each sport has its own specific classification system which factors into the rules for Olympic competition in the sport.[ citation needed ]

Summer Paralympics

Wheelchair basketball: Iran vs South Africa at the 2008 Summer Paralympics. Wheelchair basketball at the 2008 Summer Paralympics.jpg
Wheelchair basketball: Iran vs South Africa at the 2008 Summer Paralympics.
SportEligible impairmentsGoverning bodyParalympic Games statusBy years
PhysicalVisualIntellectual 1960 64687276808488929620000408121620242832
Current summer sports
Archery Archery pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes WA Summer sport (since 1960)81213121815189787799999
Athletics Athletics pictogram (Paralympics).svg YesYesYes IPC Summer sport (since 1960)25427073208274443333240211226194160170177168164
Badminton Wheelchair badminton pictogram (Paralympics).svg YesYesYes BWF Summer sport (since 2020)1416
Boccia Boccia pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes BISFed Summer sport (since 1984)533557777711
Canoeing Paracanoe pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes ICF Summer sport (since 2016)6910
Climbing Climbing pictogram (Paralympics).svg YesYes IFSC Summer sport (to be added in 2028)
Cycling: Track cycling Cycling (track) pictogram (Paralympics).svg YesYes UCI Summer sport (since 1988)
Road cycling Cycling (road) pictogram (Paralympics).svg YesYes UCI Summer sport (since 1984)
Equestrian Equestrian Dressage pictogram (Paralympics).svg YesYes FEI Summer sport (since 1996)
Football 5-a-Side Football 5-a-side pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes IBSA Summer sport (since 2004)111111
Goalball Goalball pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes IBSA Summer sport (since 1980)
Judo Judo pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes IBSA Summer sport (since 1988)
Powerlifting Powerlifting pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes IPC Summer sport (since 1964)
Rowing Rowing pictogram (Paralympics).svg YesYes FISA Summer sport (since 2008)44445
Shooting Shooting pictogram (Paralympics).svg YesYes IPC Summer sport (since 1976)
Swimming Swimming pictogram (Paralympics).svg YesYesYes IPC Summer sport (since 1960)
Table tennis Table tennis pictogram (Paralympics).svg YesYes ITTF Summer sport (since 1960)
Taekwondo Taekwondo pictogram (Paralympics).svg YesYesYes WT Summer sport (since 2020)610
Triathlon Triathlon pictogram (Paralympics).svg YesYes ITU Summer sport (since 2016)6811
Volleyball Sitting volleyball pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes WOVD Summer sport (since 1976)2222222222222
Wheelchair basketball Wheelchair basketball pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes IWBF Summer sport (since 1960)22222222222222222
Wheelchair fencing Wheelchair fencing pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes IWAS Summer sport (since 1960)37101114171514141515151012141616
Wheelchair rugby Wheelchair rugby pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes IWRF Summer sport (since 2000)1111111
Wheelchair tennis Wheelchair tennis pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes ITF Summer sport (since 1992)444666666
Discontinued summer sports
Basketball ID Basketball pictogram.svg Yes INAS-FID Summer sport (1992, 2000)11
Football ID Football pictogram.svg Yes INAS-FID Summer sport (1992)1
Football 7-a-Side Football 7-a-side pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes CP-ISRA Summer sport (1984–2016)211111111
Lawn bowls Lawn bowls pictogram.svg YesYes IPC Summer sport (1968–1988, 1996)4416191168
Sailing Sailing pictogram.svg YesYes IFDS Summer sport (2000–2016)22333
Snooker Snooker pictogram (Paralympics).svg YesIWAS Summer sport (1960–1976, 1984–1988)1112221
Dartchery Darchery pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes IPC Summer sport (1960–1980)333333
Weightlifting Weightlifting pictogram.svg Yes IPC Summer sport (1964–1992)4466111575
Wrestling Wrestling (paralympics) pictogram.svg Yes Summer sport (1980–1984)109

    Future summer sports

    On June 12, 2024, the organizing committee for the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles, announced they would propose Paraclimbing (a variation on sport climbing, which has been an Olympic sport since 2020). The IPC executive voted to approve the proposal during a meeting on June 26, 2024. [13]



    Winter Paralympics


    Alpine skiing: Talan Skeels-Piggins from Great Britain at the Winter Paralympics 2010 in Vancouver. Paralympic 2010 - Alpine skiing - Talan Skeels-Piggins.jpg
    Alpine skiing: Talan Skeels-Piggins from Great Britain at the Winter Paralympics 2010 in Vancouver.
    SportEligible impairmentsGoverning bodyParalympic Games status
    PhysicalVisualIntellectual1976808488929498200206101418222630
    Current winter sports
    Alpine skiing Alpine skiing - Paralympic pictogram.svg YesYesYes FIS Winter sport (since 1976)28225643486654532430303030
    Para ice hockey Ice sledge hockey - Paralympic pictogram.svg Yes IPC Winter sport (since 1994)
    Nordic skiing: Biathlon Biathlon - Paralympic pictogram.svg YesYes IBU Winter sport (since 1988)
    Cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing - Paralympic pictogram.svg YesYes FIS Winter sport (since 1976)
    Wheelchair curling Wheelchair curling pictogram (Paralympics).svg Yes WCF Winter sport (since 2006)
    111111
    Para-Snowboarding Snowboarding - Paralympic pictogram.svg Yes FIS Winter sport (since 2014)
    2108
    Discontinued winter sports
    Ice sledge racing Ice sledge speed racing - Paralympic pictogram.svg Yes Winter Sport (1980–1988, 1994–1998)141612816

    Possible future winter sports

    Bob Balk, the chairman of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletes' Council, launched a campaign in early 2012 to have sliding sports (bobsleigh, luge and skeleton) included at the 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. [14]

    At the meeting in Madrid, Spain, on 10 and 11 September 2018, the IPC executive board announced that Para Bobsleigh had failed in some evaluation criteria and would not be part of the official program for the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games. [15]

    Abbreviations

    Notes

    The categories listed represent all those groups that participate in this sport at some level. Not all these categories are represented in competition at the Paralympic Games.

    The governing bodies listed represent those organizations responsible for the broadest level of participation. In some cases, other disability-specific organizations will also have some governance of athletes in that sport within their own group. For example, the IPC governs multi-disability athletics competitions such as the Paralympic Games; however, CP-ISRA, IBSA, and IWAS provide single-disability events in athletics for athletes with cerebral palsy, visually impaired athletes, and wheelchair and amputee athletes respectively.

    Paralympic Games status details the years these sports were practiced as full medal events at the Paralympic Games.

    See also

    References

    1. "About Rio 2016". paralympic.org. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
    2. "Sochi 2014 Paralympics scheduled released". paralympic.org. 16 Oct 2013.
    3. "History of the Paralympic Movement" (PDF). paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
    4. "International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled". paralympic.org. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
    5. "International Sport Federations". paralympic.org. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
    6. "National Paralympic Committees". paralympic.org. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
    7. 1 2 3 "Introduction to IPC Classifications". paralympic.org. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
    8. Visually impaired skiers put fate in guide's hands, thestar.com, March 13, 2010
    9. "Paralympics 2012: The able-bodied athletes at the Games". BBC News. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
    10. Special Olympics and the Olympic Movement Archived 2011-10-07 at the Wayback Machine , Official website of the Special Olympics, 2006
    11. "Making sense of the categories". BBC Sport. 2000-10-06. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
    12. "Guide to the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Appendix Threel" (PDF). London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-04. Retrieved 8 Sep 2012.
    13. "Para climbing to be included in the LA28 Paralympic Games". International Paralympic Committee. 26 June 2024. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024.
    14. "Campaign launched to get sliding sports into Paralympics for Pyeongchang 2018". insideworldparasport.biz. 2012-01-03. Archived from the original on 2012-05-03. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
    15. "IPC makes key decisions relating to Paris 2024 and Beijing 2022". Paralympic News.